The most successful year in Highbridge-based Somerset Rebels’ history was marked on Saturday at the End of Season Dinner and Rider Presentation Night.
The team has bagged four major titles, the Premier Shield, Premier League Pairs Championship, League Cup and, just last Thursday, the Premier League Championship.
The three main rider awards, as voted by the fans, saw Rohan Tungate presented with the trophy as the Rider of the Year, with Bradley Wilson-Dean the fans’ choice as the Most Improved Rider and Jake Allen the Most Entertain Rider of the Year, in addition to which, the Riders’ Rider of the Year was Paul Starke.
Guest of Honour for the night, Sky Sports’ speedway presenter and multi World Longtrack Champion, Kelvin Tatum, was full of praise for the club as he announced the various awards.
“I think that the team were difficult to assess at the beginning of the year with them having three new riders to the Premier League in their side, but, as ever, the management did their homework on those riders, and the results of that are here to see in the trophies won by the team,” he said.
On receiving his award of Rider of the Year from Ian Burns and Rob Nigh of team sponsors Cases Ltd, Rohan Tungate also paid credit to the club’s promotion and the 2016 team.
“Somerset have a winning mentality as their record of winning trophies in recent years has proved and I wanted to be a part of that sort of set-up. This year has been an unbelievable one, and on receiving this award I do so on behalf of the rest of the team as our success this season as it has been a real team-effort.”
The full list awards made on the night were: Rider of the Year – Rohan Tungate; Most Improved Rider of the Year – Bradley Wilson-Dean; Riders’ Rider of the Year – Paul Starke; Most Entertaining Rider of the Year – Jake Allen; Merv Marsh Memorial Shield for Track Staff Rider of the Year – Jake Allen; Fred Fountain Memorial Trophy – Charles Wright; SREF Rider of the Year – Josh Grajczonek; Santa-on-a-Bike Team Rider of the Year – Jake Allen; and Fastest Time of the Season at Oaktree Arena – Josh Grajczonek.
